The Boston Celtics will be without some key firepower when they host the Sacramento Kings on Friday night, as Jaylen Brown is listed as doubtful with lingering injuries to both his left hamstring and right knee. Neemias Queta, meanwhile, is expected to suit up despite dealing with an illness, and Jayson Tatum remains sidelined as he continues to recover from a right Achilles repair.
For Boston, the timing couldn’t be more delicate. The Celtics have dropped three of their last six games, including a pair of close losses decided by four points or fewer.
Now sitting at 29-18, they’re in a dead heat with the New York Knicks for the second-best record in the Eastern Conference. The Toronto Raptors are right on their heels, trailing by just a single game.
Every win matters - and every absence does too.
Brown’s potential absence looms large. He’s been playing some of the best basketball of his career this season, averaging a career-high 29.4 points per game while shooting 48.3% from the field.
Add in 6.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and a steal per game, and it’s easy to see why he’s been in MVP conversations. He’s not just scoring - he’s doing it efficiently and impacting the game across the board.
He last played against the Atlanta Hawks, putting up 21 points in a 117-106 loss at TD Garden. That was the second of back-to-back home games to open a four-game stretch in Boston, which continues Sunday against the Milwaukee Bucks and wraps up Tuesday against the Dallas Mavericks.
Neemias Queta, listed as probable, should be available to give the Celtics some frontcourt depth. While he’s not a headline name, his presence becomes more important with Tatum already out and Brown likely joining him on the bench.
As for Tatum, he remains out as he recovers from his Achilles procedure. The Celtics are clearly playing the long game with their All-Star forward, prioritizing his health for the stretch run and postseason.
So, what does this all mean for Friday night? Expect the Celtics to lean heavily on the rest of their core - think Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, and Kristaps Porziņģis - to carry the load. The Kings bring their own challenges, and Boston will need to dig deep to stay on track in a crowded Eastern Conference race.
Injury Report - Celtics vs. Kings
- Jaylen Brown - Doubtful (Left hamstring tightness; right knee contusion)
- Neemias Queta - Probable (Illness)
- Jayson Tatum - Out (Right Achilles repair)
Bottom line: Don’t expect to see Jaylen Brown in uniform tonight, and with Tatum still out, the Celtics will need a true team effort to hold off a dangerous Kings squad.